“I’m very much relieved,” Lawson said after his victory. “They still have to count provisional and absentee ballots — there are 36 out there — but there was a 45-vote difference so that should be of no concern.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I look forward to working on projects,” Lawson also said.

Lawson was among four successful candidates in municipal races that also seated incumbent Mark Konapelsky, Charlotte Scott and Eric Emely on the City Council.

Scott, a retired Somerset County educator and local businesswoman, was the top vote-getter among all candidates with 284 votes. Emely, a water company executive, was seated with 262 votes. Konapelsky returns to his seat with 214 votes.

Scott said her decision to seek political office for a first time came after encouragement from scores of locals who cited her business success at a family operated crab-shipping and events center; her people skills; and interest in marketing the region.

“I plunked down my $10 fee” to file as a candidate,” said Scott, a resident for 40 years. “People wanted me to run — that’s what kept me going.”

Lawson, a businessman and retired registered nurse, has served two consecutive terms as a council member, including the current, and a term in the 1990s.

He fills a seat held the last eight years by Percy “PJ” Purnell, whose term officially ends June 25 at the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected municipal officials. Purnell decided to not seek a third term, and instead is seeking a seat as a Democrat in the Maryland House of Delegates.

The mayor and five city council members serve four-year terms, although election for two seats, held by LaVerne Johnson and Mike Adkins, will be in two years.

Council member Raymond Anderson decided to not seek another term.

In all, 455 votes were cast in Wenesday’s election, or about 25.4 percent of the city’s 1,787 eligible voters, said Regina Hill, a member of the Crisfield Board of Elections.

“That number is up from the 2012 election,” Hill said, noting that two years ago, 424 residents voted.

“It went very smoothly, picking up later in the day when it got cooler,” Hill said.

Purnell said he was confident that he’s leaving municipal politics with a new mayor experienced in municipal government and knows the issues.

“I think people made a good selection,” said Purnell, who endorsed Lawson. “He is capable, and I knew he’d do an excellent job. Oftentimes, we don’t give the voting population the credit they deserve in making good decisions.”